Kyrsti Sowers, McDonald advance to state meet

After Poland's Colleen Moran qualified as an individual, she was to have played in a district soccer game.
By JOE SCALZO
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
BOARDMAN -- McDonald High sophomore Kyrsti Sowers isn't going to overwhelm you with her muscles -- she'd have to gain about 25 pounds just to qualify as skinny -- but she's got a pretty good sense of humor.
After finishing a team-best 12th at Saturday's Division III regional cross country meet at Boardman High School, Sowers was asked whether her, ahem, massive leg muscles made the difference.
"Oh yeah, I'm huge," she said, smiling. "I'm a beast."
Can't question heart
OK, OK, so it's not the muscles. But you can't question her heart, as Sowers and the rest of the Blue Devils pulled together for a second-place finish to earn their sixth straight state tournament berth.
"My legs feel like Jell-o," said senior Erin Koppel, who finished 23rd. "It was really muddy."
McDonald finished one point behind Burton Berkshire and nine points ahead of Maplewood in the standings. The top three teams advanced to Saturday's state meet at Scioto Downs in Columbus.
"This is what it's all about," said McDonald coach Mike Richards, who coached at Canfield last season. "This was our goal all season.
"This is the hardest-working group of girls I've ever coached."
The Blue Devils began braiding their hair together at the district meet. When Richards -- who could be described as "follically challenged" -- was asked if he would do the same, he laughed.
"I'd just like to have some hair," he said.
Good performance
Poland senior Colleen Moran finished 13th in Div. II to earn her second straight state berth and will join teammates Lauren Fithian (19th) and Molly Noll (24th) in Columbus. The top 24 girls not on a qualifying team advanced.
"The mud made it really hard, but I just did what I had to do," Moran said. "I'm just trying to take it one step at a time and keep working harder."
Moran also plays for Poland's soccer team, which played Mooney in Saturday's district final, so she had little time to rest after the race.
Still, she wasn't worried.
"I've got plenty of time to rest," she said. "I'll be fine."
Salem junior Deirdre Clary (20th) and freshman Liz Shivers (22nd) also advanced.
In Div. I, Canfield senior Regina Bresson finished 19th to just miss qualifying for Columbus. The top 16 girls not on a qualifying team advanced.